Criminal Justice and Corrections at Metropolitan Community College Area

Omaha, NE · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 7,629 in Omaha, NE.

Program Analysis

Metropolitan Community College Area's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates start at $28,511/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 28%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 72.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,424 in median debt clears fast against $28,511 in annual earnings.

At #232 of 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, Metropolitan Community College Area scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $44,862 show a 57% jump from the $28,511 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Criminal Justice and Corrections offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
69
Score
71
High End
Earnings $28,511/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$500K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
76.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,570
Out-of-state: $9,630
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,424
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,862
57% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
First-line supervisors of police and detectives $105,980 +2.9% 67%
Detectives and criminal investigators $93,580 -0.7% 47%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
+2.9% growth 67% AI-proof
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580
-0.7% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 20 career paths with full salary data →

About Criminal Justice and Corrections Careers

Your career in criminal justice often begins on the front lines, where demand is steady. You might start as a security guard, patrolling a corporate campus, monitoring surveillance feeds, and logging daily activity. Many graduates pursue a path as a police or sheriff's patrol officer, where your "office" is a patrol car and your daily tasks involve responding to calls, community engagement, and detailed incident reporting back at the station.

Read the full Criminal Justice and Corrections career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice and Corrections Overview

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at Metropolitan Community College Area

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Metropolitan Community College Area's Criminal Justice and Corrections program score?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice and Corrections field.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice and Corrections from Metropolitan Community College Area?
Lower starting pay at Metropolitan Community College Area may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Criminal Justice and Corrections through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice and Corrections occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice and Corrections are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice and Corrections workers?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice and Corrections offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →